Cascading collection tank system

Abstract

The invention relates to a collection system for collecting operating fluids of a system, in particular fuel, comprising a fuel-operated generator, a first collection container and a second collection container.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a collection system for collecting operating fluids, in particular fuel, of a system with a fuel-operated generator. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A variety of fuel-powered generators for generating electricity are known. These are primarily used where there is no fixed power connection, the power grid is unstable, or a reliable power supply must be guaranteed at all times. A corresponding generator is known, for example, from JP 2012-219705 A. As a rule, the fuel tank must be located above the generator to ensure the necessary static pressure for supplying the generator with fuel, even in the event of leaks in the supply line. However, this presents the problem that, due to the heat generated during operation, the generator must under no circumstances come into contact with any escaping fuel, as this poses a fire hazard. Furthermore, the arrangement of the tank and the supply line to the generator typically limits the tank's construction to a single-walled design.

[0003] Numerous safety regulations exist for this purpose, such as ISO 8528-12:1997(E), DIN 6280, VDS CEA 4001

[0004] Therefore, there are devices that allow the fuel to be collected. However, these collection devices have the disadvantage of being complex and costly to construct. Furthermore, due to stringent safety requirements, certain design specifications must be met, such as providing a large collection volume capacity. TASK OF INVENTION

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a collection system with a simple structure that is suitable for completely collecting escaping fuel. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0006] This problem is solved by a collection system according to claim 1 and a system according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The storage device according to the invention for collecting operating fluids, in particular fuel, of a system with a fuel-operated generator comprises a first collection container with a volume V1 and a second collection container with a volume V2, a fuel tank with a volume K, and a generator, wherein the first collection container is arranged below the fuel tank and above the generator, the volume V1 is suitable for receiving a quantity M of fuel escaping from the fuel tank, and wherein the second collection container is arranged below the generator, and the first collection container is in fluid communication with the second collection container, wherein the second collection container is suitable for receiving, via the fluid connection, fuel from the first collection container that exceeds the quantity M.

[0008] The quantity M of fuel corresponds to a volume V1, V2 of the collection containers or the volume K of the fuel tank.

[0009] The generator can be any internal combustion engine suitable for generating electricity by burning fuel(s).

[0010] The delivery and transfer of fuel from the fuel tank to the generator's engine and the building up of the required pressure is usually accomplished by a fuel pump or pumping system. These fuel pumps are typically driven mechanically by the engine.

[0011] The fuel supply system typically works as follows: The fuel line from the tank leads to a mechanical lift pump on the engine. This is followed by a high-pressure pump (e.g., depending on the design, an injection pump, common rail pump, or pump-injector pump). However, a (combination) pump that performs both of the aforementioned functions is also possible.

[0012] The mechanical pre-supply pump is capable of drawing fuel independently from a tank. For this to work reliably, the fuel line must be filled. This is ensured by the tank located above the pump.

[0013] The pump's suction power (self-priming) is usually low. If the fuel line runs dry or leaks, no fuel at all, or not enough fuel to reliably start the system, will be available.

[0014] To ensure the necessary pressure for supplying the generator's engine with fuel, which is particularly important for starting the engine (low speed, low pump output), the fuel tank must be positioned at a sufficient height above the generator. The fuel connection to the generator is therefore located below the fuel tank. The minimum height is generally at least 50 cm.

[0015] The higher fuel tank position creates hydrostatic pressure in the line leading from the fuel tank to the generator. A small leak in the line will result in fuel loss. This loss is replenished by the incoming fuel flow. The line thus remains free of air, and a starting problem caused by fuel loss is not expected. In this case, a slight leak is accepted.

[0016] In conventional generator rooms, any leaking fuel is collected in a tray-like basin on the floor. However, with a generator, the problem arises that, due to the described placement of the fuel tank above the generator, the fuel lines are also located above the generator / engine, creating the potential for contact with hot electrical components. For this reason, and due to numerous technical regulations, the fuel tank, designated as a service tank / day tank, must not be mounted directly above the generator to prevent the risk of fire and electric shock from leaking fluids. This leads to significant structural limitations.

[0017] To ensure the tank can be positioned above the generator, all escaping fuel must be collected above the generator, requiring a collection container at least as large as the tank's capacity. This presents significant design challenges, such as securing the tank.

[0018] To overcome these disadvantages, the first collection container with a volume V1 in the system according to the invention is arranged below the tank, and the second collection container with a volume V2 is arranged below the generator. Both containers are connected via a fluid connection, allowing fluid to flow from the first collection container into the second. Therefore, the first collection container can be made significantly smaller than the second, which also represents a considerable structural simplification, as corresponding fixings can be dispensed with.

[0019] The first collection container is arranged above the second collection container in the form of a cascade, i.e., fluid overflowing from the first collection container is directed into the second collection container via the fluid connection.

[0020] Advantageously, the volume V1 of the first collection container and the volume V2 of the second collection container together correspond to at least 120 percent of the volume K of the fuel tank. This results in a safety volume of at least 20 percent above the amount of fuel, which ensures that in the event of a complete fuel spill from the tank, all of the fuel can be contained. This safety volume also serves to contain other operating fluids, such as engine oil, coolant, etc.

[0021] Preferably, the collection container has an overflow at which a first end of the fluid connection between the first collection container and the second collection container is arranged. The overflow is arranged such that, upon receiving fuel exceeding the volume V1 of the first collection container, it directs further fuel to the second collection container via the fluid connection.

[0022] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the second collection container is suitable for collecting operating fluids escaping from the generator. In addition to collecting the fuel that exceeds the volume V1 of the first collection container and is conveyed via the fluid connection, the second collection container, due to its location below the generator, also collects operating fluids escaping from the generator.

[0023] Advantageously, the first collection container and / or the second collection container has a measuring device suitable for detecting the amount of fuel absorbed. The measuring device can be any known device, e.g., a float, electrical contacts, etc., that measures the amount of liquid absorbed and, if necessary, transmits this information to a suitable display device. This supports the overflow function by indicating the amount absorbed, as the user can see that fuel has been absorbed and therefore that there is a leak in the tank or supply line.

[0024] A hose is the preferred fluid connection. This creates a flexible connection between the first and second collection containers. Other fluid connections, such as pipes, are also conceivable.

[0025] According to the invention, the system comprises a housing with an intermediate floor that defines a first area and a second area, wherein the first collection container and the fuel tank are arranged in the first area, and the second collection container and the generator are arranged in the second area. This arrangement corresponds to an engine room of stationary power generating generators, in which the intermediate floor provides a spatial separation between the fuel tank and generator and the collection containers arranged thereon.

[0026] Preferably, the first collection container is arranged on the intermediate floor below the fuel tank.

[0027] In a technically advantageous manner, the fuel tank is arranged at least 50 cm above the generator.

[0028] The arrangement can be positioned directly above or laterally offset from the generator, depending on the structural conditions. The fuel tank, which also serves as a service reservoir, is located 50 cm above the level of the injection pump. The fuel connection to the engine is located at the bottom of the tank. The elevated fuel tank creates hydrostatic pressure in the supply line to the generator's engine, ensuring a reliable fuel supply to the generator under all circumstances.

[0029] Preferably, the first collection container is arranged above the generator, thus separating the fuel tank and the generator. In principle, the generator and fuel tank should be separated from each other, which, according to the invention, is achieved by structural separation through the intermediate floor already described. The first collection container can be arranged below the tank in such a way that it completely covers the generator or only covers the relevant components of the generator that must not come into contact with fuel, thus forming a separation from the generator.

[0030] The invention further relates to a system comprising a fuel-operated generator, a fuel tank and a collection system as described above.

[0031] According to the invention, the fuel tank is arranged at least 50 cm above the generator. This height ensures that the necessary pressure is achieved in the supply lines to the generator's engine, allowing the generator to be supplied with fuel independently of other supply systems such as pumps, etc.

[0032] According to the invention, the first collection container is arranged below the fuel tank and above the generator. The first collection container serves to collect any escaping fuel so that it cannot come into contact with components of the generator.

[0033] Advantageously, the second collection container is arranged below the generator.

[0034] The second collection tank serves to collect leaking operating fluids from the generator and fuel, which is conveyed via the overflow of the first collection tank and the fluid connection from the first collection tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0035] Figure 1: Side cross-sectional view along the length of a collection device for a fuel-powered generator; Figure 2: Side cross-sectional view along the width of the collection device for a fuel-powered generator according to Figure 1 . DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXECUTION EXAMPLE

[0036] The invention is described below using a specific embodiment as an example.

[0037] The Figures 1 and 2 Figure 1 shows a collection system 1, as part of a complete system 8, for an internal combustion engine for a generator 5 for electricity generation. The fuel for the internal combustion engine is stored in a fuel tank 4.

[0038] The collection system 1 is arranged in a housing 7. The engine room formed by the housing 7 is divided into two sections by an intermediate floor 6: a lower section 71 and an upper section 72. The generator 5 is located in the lower section 71. The fuel tank 4 is located in the upper section 72.

[0039] Fuel tank 4, with a volume K, serves as a so-called service tank / day tank and is positioned approximately 0.5 meters above the level of the generator's injection pump 5. The fuel connection to the generator's engine 5 is located at the bottom of fuel tank 4. The higher fuel level creates hydrostatic pressure in the fuel supply line. A small leak in the line will result in fuel loss, which is replenished by the incoming fuel. The line remains free of air, and no engine starting problems due to fuel loss are anticipated. In this case, a small leak is accepted.

[0040] On the intermediate floor 6 in the upper area 72, there is a first collection container 2 with a volume V1, serving as an upper collection tray / drip tray. The raised fuel tank 4 (allowing for fuel removal from below) is placed inside this first collection container 2. The fuel tank 4 can be viewed for inspection and testing via openings on its front (not shown).

[0041] In the lower area 71 below the generator 5 there is another collection tray with the second collection container 3 with a volume V2, which is suitable for collecting all liquids from the generator 4 and the fuel tank 4.

[0042] The upper first collection container 2 has an overflow / drain that leads directly into the lower second collection container 3 via a fluid connection in the form of a pipe / hose (not shown).

[0043] In the event of a leak in the upper area, the collection of escaping fuel begins with a quantity M (which may also be detected electronically) in the upper first collection container 2. If the leak becomes larger, or if the quantity M of the collected fuel exceeds the volume V1 of the first collection container 2, the liquid cascades into the second collection container 3 below the generator 5 (the quantity of collected liquid may also be detected electronically here).

[0044] The capacity or volume K of fuel tank 4 in this example is 600 liters. The capacity or volume V1 of the first collection container 2 is approximately 60 liters, and the capacity or volume V2 of the second collection container 3 is approximately 660 liters. Therefore, the two collection containers are capable of holding approximately 720 liters, or 120 percent of the capacity of fuel tank 4, which provides sufficient safety to hold all the fuel along with any other operating fluids.

[0045] This avoids the need for a collection container located above the generator to be so large that it can hold the entire contents of fuel tank 4, including an additional safety volume.

Claims

1. Collection system (1) for forming a machine room of a stationary power generator and for collecting operating materials, in particular fuel, comprising a first collection container (2) with a volume V1, and a second collection container (3) with a volume V2, a fuel container (4) with a volume K, and a generator (5) with a fuel-powered motor, and a housing (7) with a intermediate base (6) which defines a first upper area (71) and a second lower area (72), wherein the first collection container (2) and the fuel container (4) being arranged in the first upper area (71) and the second collection container (2) and the generator (5) with the fuel-powered motor are arranged in the second lower area (72), wherein a spatial separation of the fuel container (4) and generator (5) and the collection containers (2; 3) arranged thereon is formed by the intermediate base (6), wherein the first collection container (2) is arranged under the fuel container (4) and above the generator (5) and forms a separation of the fuel fuel container (4) and the generator (5), wherein the volume V1 is configured for receiving a quantity M of fuel leaking from the fuel container (4), and the second collection container (3) being arranged under the generator (5), and the first collection container (2) being in fluid communication with the second collection container (3), wherein the second collection container (3) is configured for receiving fuel from the first collection container (2) via the fluid connection, which fuel exceeds the quantity M wherein the fuel container (4) is arranged above the motor of the generator (5), and wherein a fuel connection to the motor of the generator (5) is arranged at the bottom of the fuel container (4) and wherein the fuel container (4) is arranged at a distance of at least 50 cm above the level of an injection pump of the generator (5), for ensuring the pressure required for supplying the motor of the generator (5) with fuel.

2. Collection system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the volume V1 of the first collection container (2) and the volume V2 of the second collection container (3) together correspond to at least 120 percent of the volume K of the fuel container (4).

3. Collection system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first collection container (2) has an overflow having a first end of the fluid connection between the first collection container and the second collection container (3).

4. Collection system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the second collection container (3) is configured for receiving operating materials emerging from the generator (5).

5. Collection system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first collection container (2) and / or the second collection container (3) has a measuring device, configured for detecting the quantity of operating material received.

6. Collection system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the fluid connection is a hose.

7. Collection system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first collection container (2) is arranged on the intermediate base (6) below the fuel container (4).

8. Collection system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first collection container (2) is arranged directly above the generator (5), and forms a partition between the fuel container (4) and the generator (5).

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